Easter is traditionally the time of year when heritage tram operation in the UK really steps up a gear for the main season and in the first of a new regular feature we give a lowdown on just when and where you can ride on a heritage tram across the country. As always if you notice any errors or omissions do not hesitate to get in touch with us in the usual ways and we will correct it. The whole idea of this is to give as much publicity as possible to those organisations running these services to ensure that they continue for many years to come.
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
Open daily between 1000 and 1700 with trams operating each day round the Museum circuit. “Our Friends Electric” – celebrating 40 years of the Beamish Tramway – will take place between Thursday 4th and Sunday 7th April with four trams in service daily.
Birkenhead Heritage Tramway
Daily service between Wednesday 27th March and Easter Monday 1st April. Trams will operate from 1300 until 1630.
Black Country Living Museum
Daily opening starts on Friday 29th March between 1000 and 1700. One tram will normally be in service each day.
Blackpool Tramway
The Heritage Tram service operates on all four days over the Easter period (Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April). Each day will see two trams running on the timetabled Heritage service and two extra heritage trams will operate on specials. The first tram each day departs North Pier at 1036 for Fleetwood Ferry with services running at approximately half hour intervals (mainly between Pleasure Beach and Bispham) for the rest of the day (with a break for lunch). The final departures from Pleasure Beach will be at 1655 for Little Bispham and 1725 for Fleetwood Ferry (and returns as far as North Pier). Full details of the timetable can be found at http://www.blackpooltransport.com/HeritageTimetables.aspx (with links from that page to further information including prices).
Crich Tramway Village
Daily opening will commence on Good Friday 29th March following the clearance of snow which prevented opening last weekend. Trams will run on all days. On Sunday 31st March and Monday 1st April it will be the Easter 1940s Event with an enhanced tram service likely to be in operation.
East Anglia Transport Museum
Open daily from Friday 29th March until Thursday 4th April. On 29th, 30th March, 2nd-4th April 1300-1700, 31st March & 1st April 1100-1700.
Heaton Park Tramway
Open Sunday 31st March and Monday 1st April between 1200 and 1700. There will also be an Easter Egg colouring competition and Easter Egg hunt.
Manx Electric Railway
Operating Timetable C (9 full return trips plus 1 Douglas-Laxey return) daily until Sunday 7th April.
Seaton Tramway
Open daily until the start of November. Until Thursday 4th April a 20 minute service will operate between 1000 and 1700 and then on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April a 30 minute service will operate between 1000 and 1700.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Due to poor weather the start of services for 2013 has been delayed until Wednesday 1st May.
Summerlee – The Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
The Museum is open daily between 1000 and 1600.
The information provided above is given in good faith and is correct to the best of our knowledge. If you know of any errors please contact us by using the comments section below or by emailing gareth.bto@hotmail.co.uk.